FROM SUBCONTRACTED R&D TO JOINT COLLABORATION: THE ROLE OF TRUST IN FACILITATING THIS PROCESS

2004 ◽  
Vol 01 (02) ◽  
pp. 205-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL RYAN ◽  
MAJELLA GIBLIN ◽  
EDEL WALSHE

High-technology companies operate in a dynamic and unstable environment due to rapidly changing technologies and consumer tastes. An increasing number of companies are engaging in joint R&D projects to subvent the constraints to competitiveness in this turbulent environment. Collaborative R&D activity has been studied from the perspectives of strategic management [Dodgson (1992)], organizational behavior [Powell et al. (1996)], operations management [Nooteboom et al. (2000)] and business-to-business marketing [Turnbull et al. (1996)]. Within the literature, trust has been identified as highly significant to alliance effectiveness, governance and the development of a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. [Perry et al. (2002); Ramaseshan and Loo (1998); Morgan and Hunt (1994); Ganesan (1994); Nooteboom et al. (2000)]. This paper describes a collaborative R&D project between two high-tech companies to trace the development of trust between the partners. It specifically considers the role of trust in facilitating the progression of their relationship from subcontracting to joint collaboration. Reaffirming existing theories, the findings of the paper identify partner compatibility and an effective selection process as well as openness and honesty as the foundations for trust. Moreover, sound management practices were found to foster high levels of co-operation and commitment to the relationship. The main contribution of the paper is the identification of opportunistic behavior as a possible positive phenomenon. This provides new insight to existing literature which traditionally assumes a negative relationship between trust and exploitative behavior.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Khaliq Ur Rehman ◽  
Mário Nuno Mata ◽  
José Moleiro Martins ◽  
Sabita Mariam ◽  
João Xavier Rita ◽  
...  

The primary objective of this research is to investigate the role of strategic human resource management practices in developing resilient organizational behavior. This research aims to test the mediating function of individual resilient behavior between strategic human resources management practices and resilient organizational behavior. Data was collected from 780 managerial level employees working in small and medium Chinese enterprises in Hubei Province through a self-administrated questionnaire. The Smart partial least square structural equation modeling technique was used for data analysis. The analysis showed a significant positive relationship among SHRM practices, employee resilient behavior, and resilient organizational behavior. Results also show that employee resilient behavior partially mediates the relationship between SHRM practices and resilient organizational behavior. Individual resilient behavior is needed when an organization is in crisis, restructuring, transformation, turbulent, and unfavorable conditions. Without individual resilient behavior, it is difficult for an organization to be resilient. Therefore, strategic human resource management practices are essential to develop an employee’s resilience. This research contributed to the body of knowledge by bringing new concepts together. The main contribution was testing the role of individual resilient behavior between strategic human resource management practices and resilient organizational behavior.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 690-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayanth Jayaram ◽  
Keah Choon Tan ◽  
Tritos Laosirihongthong

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct influence of three types of operations management practices, namely total quality management (TQM), lean manufacturing (LEAN), and supply chain management (SCM) on operational performance. Design/methodology/approach – Cluster analysis is used to classify data collected from Thai manufacturing firms into three business strategy clusters of cost leadership, differentiation, and focussed strategy. Next, multiple-regression analysis was used to test the relationships between operations management practices and performance in each of the three strategy clusters. Findings – Results show that all three operations management practices were significantly associated with performance including the interaction of TQM and SCM. Also, the interaction of LEAN and SCM significantly affected performance for firms pursuing focussed business strategy. Practical implications – Manufacturers in developing nations can use this result to deploy appropriate operations management practices to enhance their competitive edge. Originality/value – This study explores the cross-functional alignment between strategies and practices, which have been transferred from developed to developing countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 1209-1230
Author(s):  
Belal Ali Abdulraheem Ghaleb ◽  
Hasnah Kamardin ◽  
Adel Ali Al-Qadasi

Purpose This study aims to investigate the monitoring role of internal audit function (IAF) on real earnings management (REM) practices. It examines the effect of investment in IAF (IIAF) and IAF sourcing arrangements on REM, unlike prior literature which has mainly examined the effects of IIAF on accrual-based earnings management. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a sample of 1,056 observations from an emerging market, Malaysia, between 2013 and 2016. Feasible generalised least square (FGLS) regression is used to analyse the data. To corroborate the results of this study, the authors use an ordinary least square (OLS) regression model with robust standard errors adjusted and also consider alternative REM measures. Findings The results of this study suggest that IIAF has a significant negative relationship with REM practices. Further, in-house IAF sourcing has a significant negative association with REM. The additional analysis supports the main results confirming the essential role of IAF in reducing REM in the Malaysian market. Practical implications The evidence relates to the important role of IAF in mitigating REM practices. High-quality of IAF impairs managers’ ability to manage earnings in their own interests. The findings may be useful in informing regulators, managers, shareholders and other investors, as well as researchers, about improving the role of IAF. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by providing the first evidence of the significant role of IIAF and IAF sourcing arrangements in mitigating REM in an emerging country.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1117-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virpi Turkulainen ◽  
Katri Kauppi ◽  
Emma Nermes

Purpose While classical operations strategy research argues that manufacturing organizations should be managed in line with the operational strategic priorities, recent studies have brought up potential institutional explanations for adoption of various managerial practices, including supply chain management practices. The key point in the institutional argument is that organizations are especially affected by other organizations; imitation and isomorphism are a critical part of organizational behavior. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the institutional argument in explaining the use of supplier integration mechanisms – one of the focal management practices in today’s organizations. Design/methodology/approach The authors assess empirically the extent to which various economic institutional factors explain the use of supplier integration mechanisms in manufacturing plants with a multi-country and multi-industry survey sample. Findings The results indicate that institutional explanations play a significant role in explaining supplier integration. The findings suggest that further emphasis on building research around the institutional argument in various areas of supply chain and operations management is important. Originality/value As research on supply chain integration – including supplier integration – has focused on its performance implications, more research on the antecedents to integration is needed. This study provides a test of institutional theory as an antecedent to supplier integration.


Author(s):  
Anirban Ganguly ◽  
Donald N Merino

<p>A major challenge for decision makers in business organization is making appropriate choices among competing high-tech projects. The objective of this paper is to explore a multi-criteria analytical model that can be used for the selection and management of competing manufacturing technologies. The model uses an integrated approach combining Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) as the basis for selecting a preferred alternative from a set of competing projects. Integration of the two techniques helps to provide a more effective selection process. Two competing chemical processes to produce drugs are used as a case study to demonstrate and validate the AHP – QFD model. The policy makers of pharmaceutical and chemical organizations can use this model as a part of their strategic planning and decision-making process.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Rou Huang ◽  
Chih-Hao Su

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship among job training satisfaction (JTS), job satisfaction (JS) and turnover intention (TI) and moreover, the role of JS in the relationship between the JTS and TI. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was used in this study for a sample size of 115. The principal component analysis was carried out to examine the factors in JTS and JS. The regression and mediation analyses were applied to assess the relationship among the JTS, JS and TI. Findings – A significantly negative relationship between JTS and TI was found and mediated by JS. The paper also suggests that JS is positively related to JTS but is negatively related to TI, which is in accordance with what have been reported in the earlier studies. Practical implications – This study reinforced the significance of job training in human resource management practices. The employees’ satisfaction with job training that would lead to higher JS and lower TIs was emphasized. Therefore, it becomes important for HRD professionals to consider both the delivery of the training to the employees and the employees’ satisfaction with the training approach when designing the training program. Originality/value – While many different variables have been studied in the relationship with TI, the JTS is rarely discussed. This paper attempts to examine the relationship among JTS, JS and TI with addition of new insights.


2021 ◽  
pp. 227853372199471
Author(s):  
Chandan A. Chavadi ◽  
Monika Sirothiya ◽  
Vishwanatha M R

The millennials have become the largest cohort in the workforce, and their retention has become challenging for policymakers and organizations. Millennials are career-oriented and are ready to switch jobs if there is a mismatch in skills and job requirement. The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of job satisfaction on turnover intention and job mismatch among millennial employees in Bengaluru. The study consists of 247 millennial employees from different industries of Bengaluru. Statistical tools such as SPSS 20, AMOS 20, and Sobel-Z test have been used for analysis. It is found from our research study that job mismatch is having a positive relationship with turnover intention, while job satisfaction is having a negative relationship with turnover intention. The relation between job mismatch and job satisfaction is negative. The findings demonstrated that job satisfaction partially mediated the relationships between job mismatch and turnover intentions. It was concluded from the study that millennials consider personal growth as the major factor, which influences their job satisfaction. This study is of practical importance as it impacts organizational practices (specifically human resource management practices).


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Arslan ◽  
Ismail Golgeci ◽  
Zaheer Khan ◽  
Petri Ahokangas ◽  
Lauri Haapanen

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on business-to-business (B2B) firms’ relationship initiation and customer relationship management in an under-explored and unique context of high-tech industrial microenterprises. The authors analyze the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the specific context of B2B relationship initiation and customer relationship management dynamics by examining Finnish B2B industrial microenterprises. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses exploratory in-depth case studies undertaken in three Finnish industrial microenterprises to analyze the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on their new business relationship initiation and relationship management with the current customers. Findings The case firms quickly adjusted to the “new normal” and used a number of technological resources, including online meetings and three-dimensional demonstrations, among others. A key reason for this quick adjustment was them being microenterprises. However, despite this, lack of access to customer sites remained a hindrance as their products need to fit certain production processes, which cannot be done without physical visits. Furthermore, the development of trust with new customers, especially those based in emerging markets, was challenging due to the lack of physical meetings and site visits. Research limitations/implications The research highlights the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to B2B relationships and gives an account of the changing dynamics of relationship initiation and customer relationship management amid technological and societal disruptions. It also highlights the continued role of personal relationships and psychical meetings in such relationships. As such, the research informs B2B research that examines the role of personal relationships in B2B marketing. Practical implications The study offers industrial microenterprise executives insights into how to face and tackle COVID-19 driven challenges in B2B customer relationship management and how to integrate technological tools in relationship management practices while understanding where face-to-face meetings are indispensable. Originality/value The study demonstrates areas in which virtual tools can and cannot be substitutes for conventional means of B2B relationship initiation and customer relationship management across developed and emerging markets. It also highlights the specificities of industrial microenterprises and their business development and customer relationship management dynamics mechanisms, a research area that has been rather ignored by prior studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1033-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ci-Rong Li ◽  
Chun-Xuan Li ◽  
Chen-Ju Lin ◽  
Jing Liu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explicate the influence of diverse team on team-level ambidexterity and its curvilinear assessment, and test the mediating role of team reflexivity and the moderating role of shared meta-knowledge in the curvilinear relationship between team diversity and team ambidexterity.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected multisource and temporally separated data on 206 R&D teams within 28 high-tech firms in Taiwan.FindingsThis study found a complex, curvilinear, moderated mediation relationship that functional background diversity has with team ambidexterity. Furthermore, consistent with the notion from categorization-elaboration model, the authors found the curvilinear relationship that functional background diversity has with both team ambidexterity and team reflexivity. Finally, the authors also found that the curvilinear relationship between functional background diversity and team reflexivity was moderated by shared meta-knowledge, such that the positive relationship was strengthened and the negative relationship weakened, in higher shared meta-knowledge in teams rather than lower.Originality/valueThe results demonstrate that team diversity-team ambidexterity relationship is much more complicated than previous works have assumed or suggested. Overall, the authors contribute to a novel understanding about the importance of team diversity in ambidextrous teams by opening the black box of how and when functional background diversity and team ambidexterity.


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